The Archbishop by Monk Tihon is a famous book in Russia. Written before the Bolshevik revolution, it came under the steamroller of the communist censorship along with other extraordinary books of Orthodoxy.

The Archbishop is a book that provokes, a literary work, o novella, not a treaty of ecclesiology, continuing to be a cry against the ecclesiastical conformity. At the beginning of the 20th century, the author, Hieromonk Tihon, is unsatisfied with the lukewarm general atmosphere that rules inside the Church. He devises an ideal shepherd in the person of the main character of the book – the Archbishop – who tries to bring the apostolic spirit among priests and believers.

Although the book is somehow meant to be a spiritual deployment program, it is read as an interesting, realistic, maybe too honest sometimes, chronicle of the ecclesial life. The characters are vivid, honest, uninvented. Nothing stops us from believing that this ‘Archbishop’ existed for real and that, maybe, he himself wrote this book.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Archbishop by Monk Tohin is a great read. I highly recommend it to all. Inside, reader will find a journey full of emotions that we all go through in our lives. The characters play an important part that show readers what is really happening and what we can do. A priest finds himself with nothing but trouble when he takes pity on a young couple. His burdens keep adding to the point that he loses his way…until he meets another priest. One that by looks would seem to act much above the poorer priest. Yet, Monk Tihon surprises me when the exact opposite happened. I was just as surprised as the poorer priest. Sympathy was instantly felt for the priest with all the troubles. His heart laced with fear, anger, and sadness. TheArchbishop is engaging, compelling, and brilliantly written. A spiritual guidance that was raw, honest, interesting. I found it captivating. Readers can easily relate to the charcaters and their troubles. Overall, I highly recommend this literary title to all.

Lonely, widowed, and desperately poor, seventy-three-year-old Miriam is used to living a life of isolation. But when she comes across a lost traveler one stormy night, she knows she must do the right thing, so she invites the stranger into her modest home for a bite of food until the weather passes.

The man, Raja, is tall, handsome, and respectful—with a manner unlike anyone from the small village where Miriam lives. But even greater surprises await when the two arrive back at her residence and Raja reveals a seemingly impossible past—and claims he has known and loved Miriam almost her entire life.

Set against the exotic backdrop of Central Asia in the 1940s, Unusual Love Story is a mythical tale featuring thought-provoking wisdom on love, spirituality, and what it truly means to be human. In a unique take on romantic storytelling, this sweeping novel introduces readers to a magical new world where immortal creatures can shift between man and beast—and compassion and kindness break the barriers that so often separate us as human beings.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Unusual Love Story by A. Amos is definitely an interesting and intriguing read for all. From the beginning of its tale, I was immersed deeply into a woman’s harsh lifestyle and the why’s of how she is living like she has. I remember studying about Central Asia, how low caste people are treated among their own. It’s heartbreaking…the woman and her family were just trying to be good humans and yet people cruelty caused the death of her family and others. Tragedy strikes hard in situations like that. I can only imagine the fictional character’s pain as those evil moments are replayed in her mind. My heart and sympathy went out to her immediately. Another character that sparks interest is the male stranger, Raja. It’s soon revealed that he’s not just a human but also, a king Cobra. At first, this frightens Miriam but soon fear subsides. Here, I find fantasy and sorcery brought into the plot. The writing goes back and forth between the past and present moments. Raja goes on to say that life gives us harsh tests in our lifetime to prove how strong we are in our belief of the higher power. I believed this fictional character was indeed right. A woman once 74 years-old turned back into her 18-year-old self. Making love to Raja, the king cobra all night long…when she wakes, they both head out of her hut and travel. For those who don’t like snakes…beware, this novel, is full of them. Raja, after all, is a king cobra.

Readers like myself not only get a tutorial about snakes and power but also on love and humanity. Unusual Love Story is indeed just that. There is so much for Miriam to learn and so much that Raja shares with her that it’s hard not to be fascinated by everything. The story is mostly Miriam asking Raja questions and he answers them in a philosophical way. Readers are told about others around the world. It’s like traveling without ever leaving one’s home. This is the most unusual love story that I have ever read. It combines a few genres into one making for an enchanting story. Inside this beautiful romance, readers will be awed by this writer’s talent. Instantly, I was mesmerized by the plot and characters. The scenes unfolded before me like they were, of my own memories. The story will captivate and keep readers hooked. Unusual Love Story dips readers into a different culture that is both educational and richly entertaining. Overall, I highly recommend this stunning tale to readers worldwide.

# Imagine a vibrant community that dumps 5,000 years of cultural traditions. Imagine a society without politicians, without corporate secrets, without adverts, without disparity in the spendable wealth of its citizens. Such a community has defied the status quo. It has aroused fear and envy among the powerful elite. It needs extraordinary protection from those who would bring it down.

# Add the cold water of frustrating romance.

# Nyssa has spent years in virtual bondage to a Japanese pimp before she landed at Dog Breakfast, a co-op dedicated to urban security and espionage. She is welcomed despite her woeful past. She begins training as an operative and soon finds the physical hurdles almost beyond reach. But she can’t turn back because the co-op has become “home” and if she fails she’d lose her best chance for redemption.

# Kazuo has lost touch with the stone fox he met at the ski resort. He will meet her again, but in a way, he doesn’t expect.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Loose Thread: Cool Assasins (book 1) by J.O. Quantaman is extraordinary. His writing delivers the best of the best futuristic fantasy. A science fiction novel that takes readers into a whole new world. The characters are fascinating…and the scenes are vivid. They pop off the pages as readers rush in turning them to find out what happens next. I am not normally into science fiction yet J.O. Quantaman has masterfully captured my attention with this first book. I enjoyed reading this suspenseful, entertaining, and intriguing book. After readers read this one, they too will be begging for the next book in this exciting series. Overall, I highly recommend reading Loose Thread: Cool Assasins (book 1) by J.O. Quantaman. You will lose yourself in his characters and marvelous plot.

Eighteen years ago your baby daughter was snatched. Today, she came back.

A sinister and darkly compelling psychological thriller from the No.1 bestselling author of The Girl With No Past.

Eighteen years ago, Simone Porter’s six-month-old daughter, Helena, was abducted. Simone and husband, Matt, have slowly rebuilt their shattered lives, but the pain of losing their child has never left them.

Then a young woman, Grace, appears out of the blue and tells Simone she has information about her stolen baby. But just who is Grace – and can Simone trust her?

When Grace herself disappears, Simone becomes embroiled in a desperate search for her daughter and the woman who has vital clues about her whereabouts.

Simone is inching closer to the truth but it’ll take her into the dangerous and disturbing territory.

Simone lost her baby. Will she lose her life trying to find her?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Girl You Lost by Kathryn Croft is brilliant. Readers will be automatically transported into the thrilling plot. A story that is well-written and dripping with suspense on every page. I was wowed from the beginning and glued in until the last page. This was the first novel I read by Kathryn Croft. A promising writer who talent shines throughout this dark, edgy, and chilling read.

Inside The Girl You Lost, readers will be taken a mother’s journey to risk her life only to find her daughter. Two parents having lost their child and tried to pull back up from that devasting day…are now told that someone has information on their child. But then..all is lost when that someone goes missing. A hope has built up inside the mother and may lead her to a worse or same destiny as her daughter. Readers can easily sympathize with the mother and father inside this read. Danger, suspense, and intrigue all hang in the air and send readers down a dark path. A path that they may never return from ever again…

I loved reading this riveting title, and I highly recommend it to readers worldwide. Kathryn Croft doesn’t disappoint…and once you read the first page…you will be sucked into a terrifying novel ever written. The Girl You Lost is definitely a thriller all must read.

Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this powerful debut novel reveals an incredible story of love, redemption, and terrible secrets that were hidden for decades.
New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.

An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.

The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.

In Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly has crafted a remarkable novel of unsung women and their quest for love, freedom, and second chances. It is a story that will keep readers bonded with the characters, searching for the truth, until the final pages.

My Rating: 5 stars

My Review:

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is a powerful story for readers everywhere. It’s war time and the Nazi are a real nightmare. Many have forgotten the horrors tha tmany have faced. Innocent lives struggling to survive the horrendous fate awaiting them. Inisde this historical remembrance tale, readers meet three women whose lives will forever change history. Martha Hall Kelly has brought readers a first hand glimpse into one of history’s most frightening memories. A novel that brings to life what these women and many others suffered.

Martha Hall Kelly’s debut novel, Lilac Girls, is symbolic of what happened in the past. Lilac being the flower that struggles through a harsh winter and yet still blooms later. Lila flowers grew in the back yard of one of the three women protrayed in this brilliant masterpiece. Readers will find three different paths crossing into one as they journey back to 1939. World War II was a terrible time. A time most would like to forget. Generations have no idea what it was really like during these times nor what suffering a majority of people were forced to take. Caroline, Kasis, and Herta are the three women described and relived in this stunning piece. Each one has a life so different than the others yet, all brought together. Death, loss, and fear were strong elements in this story. Yet love and hope persisted. I was moved with tears for all the lives lost during World War II. Overall, I highly recommend Lilac Girls to readers world wide.